What
has H.E.L.P. accomplished in 2009?
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT/YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
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Positioned workforce development for 14 to 24-year-olds as a more prominent
City initiative, working with City Councilman John Lassiter through the
Economic Development & Planning Committee of the City Council.
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Expanded the Youth Job Connection, a workforce
training partnership between H.E.L.P., Goodwill Industries and the City of
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Secured $200,000 in new money to support the expansion of the Youth Job
Connection.
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Ensured the placement of $1.5 million in economic stimulus money to the
Youth Job Connection and 4 other local organizations with workforce
development projects for youth and young adults.
PUBLIC HEALTH
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Secured a renewed commitment from U.S. Rep. Larry
Kissell to place $375,000 in new money for testing, prevention and treatment
of HIV/AIDS in
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200 H.E.L.P. leaders met with U.S. Reps. Kissell and
Mel Watt, City Councilmen Anthony Foxx and John Lassiter, and County
Commissioners Dan Murrey and
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Requested by U.S. Rep. Kissell to co-sponsor an
“HIV/AIDS Health Summit” to raise the awareness, urgency and coordination in
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Received commitment from U.S. Rep. Watt to participate in the “HIV/AIDS
Health Summit.”
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Recruited 500 H.E.L.P. leaders to join the 2009 AIDS Walk, and raised $8,000
in support of the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (R.A.I.N.) and the AIDS
Walk.
NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZING
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Secured preliminary support from the City of
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Organized a “Community Block Party” with 150
neighbors from
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Aligned local elected officials and City of
PUBLIC EDUCATION/SCHOOL ORGANIZING STRATEGY
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Launched a renewed and more vibrant partnership between school staff,
parents, and private sector and faith partners to invest in the life of the
school for increased active participation.
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Organized face-to-face conversations with dozens of
parents and teachers, resulting in a larger community conversation and two
community dinners at the school with 83 and 109 people, respectively.
Parents voiced their hopes and concerns about
their child’s education and their neighborhood, resulting in:
Þ
A
Safety Action group that secured an increase in police presence and patrol
from CMPD between the school hours of 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on the streets
surrounding the school.
Þ
A Parent Involvement Action group that met
face-to-face with over 65 parents about their desires for
Þ
A WH
parent who recruited four parents to serve as “Ride Captains” within the
school zone, in order to ensure transportation for parents who need rides to
events at the school.
Þ
A
Communication Team that is working to increase communication between the
school and homes, so parents can receive regular updates on student
behavior.
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Initiated a similar organizing process like the one at Westerly Hills,
securing support from the school administration and staff to expand the
partnership in the 2009-2010 school year.
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Advised the administration and staff on strategies to increase parent
involvement, resulting in 75 families participating in an end-of-year
community dinner and End-of-Grade test event.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
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Secured support from Superintendent Peter Gorman to expand our school
organizing approach to at least two additional schools during the 2009-2010
academic year.
IMMIGRANT ORGANIZING STRATEGY
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Built a Latino immigrant network of over 20 congregations and associations
to effectively address issues impacting the immigrant community.
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Over
400 Latino leaders gathered at two Delegates’ Assemblies to ratify a
multi-issue agenda that focuses on (1) Access to healthcare, (2) Access to
education, (3) Driver’s Licenses for undocumented immigrants, (4) Reform of
the 287g law enforcement program and (5) Immigration Reform.
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Trained over 100 Latino leaders in the principles of community and
congregation-based organizing.
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Co-authored a national report on immigrant
integration and civic engagement in
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Organized a local launch of the “H.E.L.P./Wilson Center report” with 140
Latino, African-American and Anglo H.E.L.P. leaders and supporters,
including religious leaders, business leaders and elected officials.
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Organized a “Citizenship Day” event in coordination with the American
Immigration Lawyers Association and the NC Latino Coalition, to support 100
eligible immigrants in becoming citizens.
NORTH MECKLENBURG COUNTY/EXPANSION ORGANIZING
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Built a broad-based expansion project in Huntersville, Cornelius and
Davidson with 15 participating congregations, associations and
neighborhoods.
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Coordinated a 6-week “Listening Campaign”, involving 811 people, to craft an
initial issue agenda.
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Over
200 leaders gathered at two Delegates’ Assemblies to ratify a multi-issue
agenda that focuses on (1) Senior Citizens, (2) Traffic and Transit, (3)
Youth and Education and (4) the Economy.
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Trained over 100 leaders in the principles of community and
congregation-based organizing.
STATE-LEVEL ORGANIZING STRATEGY
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Hosted a meeting of 140 leaders from H.E.L.P. and our sister networks in NC,
with Governor Perdue.
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Secured commitments from Gov. Perdue to:
Þ
Assist in setting up meetings with key Cabinet members to establish working
relationships.
Þ
Convene a meeting on the economy between religious executives, corporate
leaders and the Governor.
Þ
Coordinate “Town-hall Assemblies” on the impact of economic stimulus funds
throughout the state.
Þ
Request a meeting between the NC Sheriffs’ Association and the NC I.A.F.
affiliates to discuss the impact of the 287g law enforcement program.
